Beautiful Family Moments

Our little dining space. Small and sweet and extendable. Sociable - being in the kitchen, a place where we have had big family meals, small intimate dates with my husband. Nourishing mealtimes with the children.

We’ve really worked on our mealtime Rhythm as a family this past year. We eat by candle light - we start and end out meals with song. One of the most enjoyable and surprising things has been the flowers and plants I pick fresh for the table from our garden.

The garden which I always thought was so empty had given such a beautiful array of flowers and plants, I have such a deep appreciation for it now, in all its forms, spring through to winter, this simple act has given me so much pleasure.

Have you had anything take you by surprise this year, or is there something you would love to include in your family rhythm?

Waldorf Play Items on a Budget

So not everyone has the budget for all the lovely wooden toys and silks that are so synonymous with Steiner~Waldorf education. In reality in Steiner Schools it’s usually a community effort with teachers, parents and even children contributing to the toys available. Lots of handmade treasures, or locally crafted items. A few tips I would like to pass on this Christmas

🎄Playcloths don’t have to be expensive, I have hand dyed small pieces of cheap cheesecloth with avocado skins, red cabbage, turmeric and carrot tops.

🎄 If you can’t be bothered with all that head to your local charity shops and have a look at the scarves in there, you may find wool, silks and chiffons for a couple of pounds each. I found a lovely one which is ombré blue - and looks like the changing colour of the ocean as it hits the shore. Remember all these items can be used as a dress up in play with a few clips and pins.

🎄If you really want silk, a cheaper option can be to buy silk habotai from a haberdashery or online, they are in a range of colours and you can buy usually half metres the size advantage is one metre would make a couple of small silks, I bought one and a half metre for the play frame I have which set me back £18 rather than the £60 + online

🎄Save any fallen branches now the weather is getting wilder, put them in your shed over winter to dry out, they can be sawn into blocks and given a light sand in summer - great for building.

🎄Wooden animals can be expensive look for simple plain ones with minimal features with no colour, where one figure could be many.

🎄Don’t be afraid to have a go at making something no matter how simple and get creative especially with felt which needs minimum sewing - it can be a fun enlightening journey and your child will only be grateful of the wonderful toys you have made!

🎄Collect shells and stones and twigs and natural items over the next year to add to your play collection.

I hope some of these things help people see that a Waldorf home environment is within budget!

Happy Christmas

K x

Slow and Simple Afternoons and a Thank you

Slow and simple afternoons. Winter inevitably drives us all indoors T some point...sickness, cold, the lure of comfort food, family gatherings- a warm fire. We still love and value our outdoor time but also enjoy the slow down and comfort as our homes truly do become a shelter and a haven for the coldest months of the year. I am enjoying documenting these precious moments on here...whilst my two babies nap...I feel grateful and thankful too to have become a part of such a caring and wonderful online community. I raise my cup of tea to you all